Gevel van het woonhuis aan Gördelingerstraße 38 te Braunschweig 1893

This photogravure by Ad. Ebeling captures the facade of a timber-framed house in Braunschweig, Germany. The printmaking process itself is worth considering. Photogravure combines photography and etching, a means of production that allowed for the wide distribution of images. The process begins with a copper plate, coated with a light-sensitive gelatin tissue, then exposed to a photographic positive. After etching with ferric chloride, the plate is inked and printed, resulting in rich tonal variations and a velvety texture. What we see here is an early form of documentation, not just of architecture but also of the skilled labor involved in its construction: the carpentry, carving, and joinery evident in every beam and bracket. The graphic quality enhances the texture of the wood, emphasizing the labor invested in shaping each element. Ebeling’s work challenges the division between craft, design, and art, reminding us of the social and economic contexts embedded within the built environment.